W. Sumatra sued for Rp 1.1b

PADANG, W. Sumatra: Farmers from Pematang Jaya in Padang Pariaman are suing the West Sumatra administration for Rp 1 billion (US$385,000) for allowing a destructive mining activity near their village, Antara said.

They said that since the mining of obsidian (volcanic glass) on Geringging River began in 1991, three people have died because of landslides. They also blamed mining activity for the devastation of 100 hectares of their rice fields.

Rahmat Wartira, the director of Padang's Legal Aid Institute office, said the farmers would prosecute the government if their demand for compensation was not met.

Rahmat said the West Sumatra administration had originally licensed six companies to mine the site. Four of these have ceased operations while the other two had stopped mining by themselves but still receive volcanic glass collected by the local people.

Rahmat said he had been told by the administration that the mining would continue and a new investor has already been appointed. (09)